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Dealing with disappointment at Christmas

However much preparation and planning we put in, sadly, there is always the possibility of disappointment, which often occurs from the...

Christmas activities for autistic children

Going out can be very difficult for an autistic child at any time, but at Christmas places are much busier, and the decorations and...

How to Create a Relaxed and Autism-Friendly Christmas Dinner

This time of year, magazines are bursting with ideas for the "perfect" Christmas lunch. While these glossy spreads might be inspiring,...

Asking your autistic child what they want for Christmas

Even in my 40s, I still find it overwhelming when someone asks me what I want as a present. It’s not as simple as it seems—my mind floods...

Using an advent calendar

Advent calendars are a much bigger phenomenon than they used to be. They can be a fantastic tool to help your child count down to...

How to explain your child's needs this holiday season

Read about how to explain your child's needs to family & friends this Christmas, and grab a free email template too!

The effect of constant criticism

It’s a common misconception that autistic individuals lack the ability to perceive others' emotions. This simply isn’t true. Allow me to...

How to make your Christmas fun for everyone

It can be hard to meet the needs of autistic/ADHD children at Christmas. In this blog we tell you how - check out our other resources too!

How it feels to go Christmas shopping - and tips!

I remember the annual Christmas shopping trip to Oxford Street with my grandma. It was a tradition I enjoyed partly because of its...

Planning ahead or worrying too much?

We all know as parents of children with additional needs that planning is everything to ensure the best outcomes. However, this isn't...

Supporting Your Teen's Anxiety: Practical Tips for Parents of Autistic and ADHD Teens

Need ideas on how to support your autistic/ADHD teen cope with anxiety? We've got some free tips and ideas you can start using right no

How to have an autism friendly Halloween

Making Halloween accessible and enjoyable for autistic children requires some additional planning, so we thought we would share our 5 top...

The ADHD domino effect

We all have those days (or weeks) when everything seems to go wrong. If you add ADHD into the mix, these often happen more frequently but...

The pros and cons of hyperfocus

Even those of us who are diagnosed with combined or inattentive ADHD can experience the exact opposite of not being able to focus. This...

Why sitting still can be exhausting.

The phrase “I’m too tired to sit still” would not make sense for most neurotypical people, but for people with ADHD, sitting down can be...

ADHD and exhaustion...

ADHD often brings to mind a person with boundless energy, and for those diagnosed with hyperactive or combination-type ADHD,...

How ADHD can cause and/or increase anxiety

Living with ADHD can make it hard to control impulses and hyperactivity, which can cause or increase anxiety. For children, ADHD can...

Why ADHD medication doesn't make you autistic

ADHD and autism are two separate conditions, although it is common for an autistic person to also have ADHD and vice versa. When a person...

Common Myths About ADHD Medication – And The Truth

There are a lot of misunderstandings when it comes to treating ADHD with medication. While more people now know what ADHD is, some still...

How the ADHD brain works differently

We explain why and how an ADHD brain works differently.

Why exposing autistic children to changes will not build future resilience

Helping autistic children get used to small everyday changes is very important. It can help them feel less anxious and more comfortable...

Understand a Child's Sensory Profile Beyond 'Seeker' or 'Avoider

Why learning whether your child is a sensory seeker or avoider isn't enough.

Why explaining the impact of Autism & ADHD is so important

Why being able to explain the impact of autism and ADHD on the whole family is so important

Being told off for being yourself

How being told off for being yourself stays with you.

How school can have a positive impact on your autistic child's mental health

Despite the amount of negative press around school for autistic pupils, there can be some huge positives to school-based education.

What To Tell Your Autistic Child's New Teacher: A Balanced Approach for the Best Start

When your autistic/ADHD child has a new teacher, how much do you tell them? We help you out.

Why we should wait a while before asking, "How was your day?"

"How was your day?" This is a standard question to ask when you see your child at the end of their school day. It will be the question...

How to keep after school calm for autistic children and teenagers

After a structured day at school, the transition to home can be particularly challenging for children and teenagers, especially those on...

How to Keep Mornings Calm Before School for Autistic Children

Mornings can be challenging for any family, but for those with autistic children, the pressure of getting ready for school can sometimes...

How to support your child on the first week of the school term

The start of a new school term is often a time of excitement and anticipation. However, for autistic children, it can also be a period...

Generalised vs specific support: The Goldilocks effect

I was recently on a train where there were two parents discussing autism. One of the women’s children had just been diagnosed autistic....

Why differences don't mean you can't succeed

One of my most overwhelming childhood memories is people commenting on my differences. Adults felt that they had a right to comment to my...

The right to question and correct teachers in school

We should all have the opportunity to question and correct people if we feel their facts are incorrect. It might seem like an obvious...

When your child needs a dopamine hit in the summer holidays

ADHD brains need dopamine because it helps us pay attention, control our behavior, and make decisions. When someone has ADHD, their brain...

The summer holiday nerves

The school holidays are just around the corner and for those of you in Scotland have already begun. The challenges facing autistic...

Sensory processing and unintentional sounds

"The door is too loud." These were the words said by my son the other day. He was very dysregulated, and I was very impressed with the...

"Over the top" ADHD

It's a common experience when you have ADHD to be described as "over the top." The problem is that it isn’t a choice. It is something...

The importance of recognition in helping mental health

It's mental health awareness week! There are many reasons why recognising achievement improves mental health. • It boosts self-esteem and...

Why shorter nights can be a problem

We all know that sleep can be a challenge for most autistic children. This time of year doesn't help with lighter evenings and mornings,...

The term of transitions

We talk about the difficulties of transitions for autistic children a lot. Whilst it might appear to be something that we over mention, I...

It's not always the loudest who are struggling the most.

One of the biggest misconceptions about children with ADHD and Autism is that they will be loud if they are distressed, or in a situation...

Awareness of autism isn't enough without understanding it...

Society is now far more aware of autism. The other day I heard a parent talking to a child in a shop. They were encouraging the child to...

Why managing something once doesn't mean you can always manage it.

A mistake I see time and time again when supporting children with ADHD, is the assumption that because they have managed a task without...

Why communication isn't just about talking

One of the diagnostic criteria for autism is a defecit in communication. This is of course not only the ability to communicate, but also...

Why can autistic students find exams hard?

There are a few reasons why autistic people may find exams hard. Firstly, understanding what the question is asking can be tough....

Why, "Autistic people can't lie" is a myth.

Many people think that being unable to lie is a common trait in autistic individuals. Some autistic people might struggle with certain...

A problem of their own making...

A student I mentor at one of the country’s leading universities had been struggling with a timetable clash and asked me for help. I...

I don't like the feel of how it looks!

I don't like the feel of how it looks! This might seem crazy but different patterns on clothing feel different to me by looking at them....

The problem with taking things at face value.

Taking things at face value is something that we all do everyday. We do it without question, probably even unaware that we are doing it....

You're too old!

Censorship on age is something that appears in all areas of life. There are some things that have expected ages for safety reasons, or...